Hendo’s still key for Klopp
£40M MAX FOR TOBY
FROM BACK PAGE told United’s board to explore alternatives if Tottenham continue to stick with their valuation of £55m for the 29-year-old. United have made contact with Bayern Munich over their defender Jerome Boateng, who is also interesting Paris Saint-Germain. But Alderweireld remains their No.1 target and the Reds are believed to have made a final offer to Spurs. The centre-half has just nine months remaining on his contract, although Tottenham do have an option to extend that deal by 12 months, which automatically triggers a clause allowing him to leave for £25m. Alderweireld has made it clear that he will refuse to sign a new contract and United’s board feel that will force Spurs’ hand. JURGEN KLOPP has assured skipper Jordan Henderson he still has a big future at Anfield, despite a midfield summer spending spree.
The Liverpool boss spent more than £80million in bringing both Naby Keita and Fabinho to Anfield, and has also begun the process of converting Georginio Wijnaldum to the holding midfield position where captain Henderson plays.
But even though many observers have suggested that puts massive pressure on Henderson’s place, Reds manager Klopp insisted the England star (right), 28, is vital to his plans.
“Hendo is so important to us, not only as a player, but also as a person and as a leader,” Klopp said.
“You need these players, like Hendo and Millie (James Milner), to help create a special spirit in the squad, otherwise it doesn’t work.
“There are no doubts about Hendo. I didn’t need the final proof in and around the World Cup, or in the last season.
“He can still play as the ‘eight’ or we could play some games with a ‘double six’, Fabinho could play the ‘eight’ or whatever, that’s all possible.”